Machine for treating pipe and pipe lines



May 19, 19360 H. L. HARRISON 4 MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINESFiled June 9, 1930 12 Sheets-Shedl May 19, 1936. L, A R 2,041,337

I MACHINE FOR TREATiNG PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9, 1930 V 12sheets sheet 2 May 19, 1936. H. L. HARRISON 2,041,337

MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9, 1930 12Sheets-Sheet 3 May 19, 1936.

H. L. HARRISON MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9.1930 12 She'ets-Sheet 4 n 111;! n 4 ll A May 19, 1936. H. 1.. HARRISONMACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 9,1930 H. L. HARRISON May 19, 1936.

ay 9, 1936. H. L. HARRxsofi 2,041,337

MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9, 1930 12Sheets-Sheet 7 yorac'aafi az rdsm May 19, 1936. H. L. HARRISON 2,041,337

MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9, 1950 12Sheets-Sheei; 8

May 19, 1936. H. L. HARRISON MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9, 1930 12 Sheets-Sheet e May 19, 1936; H. 1.. HARRISON IMACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed June'9, 1930 mm??? yaracezyarrzjs'm y 1936- v} H..|. HARRISON 2,041,337

MACHINE Fpa TREATING-PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9, 1930 12Sheets-Sheet 11 May 19, 1936. H. HARRISON 2,041,337

MACHINE FOR TREATING PIPE AND PIPE LINES Filed June 9,1so 12Sheets-Sheet 12 J .722 v Z5;

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1&0 J5] 7wzzzar: f aracegsyarrzp's'm Fatenied May 19, E936- UNITEDSTATES- mom son ramrmc'rms-m rn-s uses Home L. Harrison, New York, N. Y.Application June a, 1930, Serial No. 460,080

1-: Claims. (01. 242- 11) The present invention relates in general-to amachine for cleaning, coating and/or wrapping pipe or pipe lines.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a machine of thischaracter that may straddie the trench in which a pipe line is or is tobe laid, propelling itself and being automatically steered alongthe-trench.

Another object is to provide improved feeding mechanism for feeding thepipe line through the machine in a positive and eflflcient manner.

Another object is to provide improved feeding -mechanism whichwillaccommodate itself automatically to irregularities in the pipe lineand the couplings between the various sections of pipe constituting suchline. i

There are other objects of my invention which together with theforegoing will be described in detail in the specification which is tofollow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming apart thereof. y

In practicing my invention I provide a supporting structure mounted uponwheels specially spread apart to straddle a trench, propelled ordinarilyby an internal combustion engine driving the wheels through suitablegearing. I also provide steering mechanism for causing the ma chineordinarily to follow the line of the trench as it is propelled.Mechanism is mounted on the structure for feeding a pipe through itwhich is treated with a sealing or insulating compound and wrapped bywrapping mechanism mounted on the structure. The sealing compound iscarried in suitable receptacles.

Generallyinthe operation of my improved machine it is placed straddle ofa trench, the pipe is then fed into the machine and the machine isstarted forward This operation cleans and treats the pipe as well aswraps it, the machine following the trench.

Referring now to the drawings-" Fig. 1 is a top plan view of myinvention with a portion of the rear broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of, the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail plan of the pipe feeding mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the same illustrating the pipe in section;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of the feeding mechanism illustratingits position when feeding through a pipe coupling:

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the same;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of one feeding rollers;

6: the

, along the lineiO-QZI; Fig. 21 is'a bottom plan of a slightly'modifledFig. 9 is an end elevation of the same taken along the line 9-! of Fig.81 in the direction of the arrows; 1 I

Fig. 10 is a view of a modified form of one of the feeding rollerssimilar to Fig. 8; g 41' Fig. 11 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 12 is a detail of the wrapping mechanism with certain of the partsbroken away for clearness;

Fig. 13 is a similar view of the same illustrating 10 the treating tankson either side of the wrapping mechanism, partly insection;

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation taken along the line ll-lfl of Fig. 12of another detail of the wrapping mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation oi the wrapping mechanism of Fig. 12taken along the line ii-ili of that flgurelooking in the directiongoithe arrows; V

Fig. 16 is a detail of one of the wrapping units in elevation;

Fig. 1'! is a cross section of the some taken along the line iI-l'l ofFig. 16 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 18 is atop plan of the unit of Fig. 16; 25

Fig. 19 is a similar view with a portion broken away to illustrate theperforations forvi'eeding compound in the lower surface;

Fig. 20 is a medial cross section of Fig. 18

wrapping element showing a slotted arrangement for feeding the sealingcompcundt Fig. 22 is a detail of a modified form of wrapping mechanisminelev'ation;

Fig. 23 is a view of the mounting bracket in elevation of one of theguiding spools of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 24 is another detail of one of the mounting brackets for anotherguiding spool shown in Fig. 22.

Reference character i designates generally a supporting structure ofsuitable size constructed from metal structural shapes or' othersuitable .framing mounted upon four wheelb 2. The rear wheels 2 aremounted upon shafts 3 carried in suitable bearings ,4 in the structuralframe I. The front wheels are mounted upon suitable shafts 5 rotating inhearings in the brackets G which are rotatably secured to brackets I bybearings i. Rods 9 are secured to the brackets 6 by king bolts il.

' The king bolts it also serve to support guarding brackets ii. Atie-rod i2 suitably connects the two brackets ii. The ends of the rodsheater or other receptacle I5 of general cylindrical shape is suitablymounted to the structural frame I by brackets-I8 supporting bearings I'Icarrying shafts I8 secured to the boiler I5. Theshafts I8 are secured tothe boiler at a point above the center, so that the tank will bemaintained in a vertical plane at all times irrespective of thevariations in the ground of the trench. The boiler I5 is also providedwith four shafts I9, two on each side of the boiler, and on a line withthe shafts I8 so that the boiler may be bodily lifted from the bearingsII. -By fixing wheels to the axles or shafts I9. the boiler may besuitably pulled to any desired point.

For propelling purposes the structural frame I is provided with aninternal combustion engine 22 of any desired size, a clutch controlledby a pedal 23 and transmission mechanism 24 having any suitable numberof steps, and a reverse gear controlled from a gearshift lever 25. Thedriver's seat 28 may be suitably secured to the housing of the bearing Hby bolts 2| or at any other point of vantage to operator. The driveshaftfrom the transmission is provided with a sprocket meshing with the chain25 which drives 28 is provided with a worm which meshes with ings in theframe I.

the wormwheel 38 mounted upon a shaft 3| carried in bearings 32 in thestructural frame and having a spur gear 33 mounted at one end thereofand meshes with a spur gear 34 suitably affixed to a shaft 35 rotatablyheld by bearings 38 in the structural frame I. The outer end of theshaft 35 is provided with a sprocket 31 which carries a chain 38 meshingwith a sprocket 39 mounted on a shaft 48 rotatably carried in hear- Theshaft 48 is provided with a spur gear 4| meshing with a spur gear 42mounted upon a shaft 43. The spur gear 34 meshes with a spur gear 44mounted upon a shaft 45 rotating inbearings 46 in the structural frameI. The shafts 48 and 43 are each provided with split rollers 41 and 48,respectively, having a generally concave corrugated surface 49, see Fig.9. The corrugated rollers 41 and 48 may be constructed of rubber orother suitable material to provide a tough and wearresisting surface forfrictionally engaging the pipe. A pair of compression springs 58 and 5|are mounted on either side of the split roller" and are seated at theiroutside ends on members of the structural frame I. The other-ends of thesprings 58 and 5| compress againstwasher's 52 which hold a pair ofangularly. shaped brackets 53 in position. The brackets 53 are preventedfrom turning by dowel pins 54 mounted in the washers 52, see Fig. 8. Thesplit rollers 41 may be held in place by having a conically shaped v2,041,887 v9 are spread apart by a spacing member I2 10 where the rollis provided with a recess 51 in which an enlarged portion 58 of thesleeve 58 is adapted to fit the bracket'53 being held in place by longbolts 68 threaded into the enlarged flange portion 58 of the sleeve 58,the bracket 53 being fitted on a reduced portion SI of the sleeve 58.The lower shaft 43 also carries the split rollers 48 which are similarlymounted upon sleeves which carry brackets 6|, the whole assembly beingheld in place by the compression springs 62 and 53. The brackets 53 and82 on one side are connected on each side by bolts 84 passing throughopenings in the brackets 53 and 62. A pair of cam members 65 suitablyunited and spaced apart by bolts 56 are rotatable about each bolt 84.The cam members 85 are somewhat semi-circular in shape and areeccentrical- 1y mounted on the bolts 64. The pipe line 61 is fed betweenthe split rolls 41 and 48 and bears against the cams 65 on either side,which are held in firm contact vwith the pipe 81 by the compressionsprings.

Similarly constructed rolls are mounted on the shafts 35 and 45 and alsoperform the function of feeding the pipe through the machine.

Intermediate of the shaft 28 is a dog clutch 89 which serves to drivethe tubular shaft 88 which is mounted in bearings in the structuralframe I through an ordinary dog clutch 68.- The shaft III is acontinuation of the main shaft 28 and carries a dog clutch 'II. Theclutches 59 and 'II are adapted to be operated by the member I2 whichmay be operated by a screw I3. A connecting link I4 connects theoperating member I2 to a member I5 which supports a link 16 which isconnected to a member 11 pivoted on the structural frame at I8 andconnected to the dog clutch II at its other end. In this manner themembers I2 and 11 can be operated simultaneously to throw the clutches68 and II, respectively. The shaft I0 drives a worm which engages theworm wheel mounted on a shaft I8 rotating in bearings in the structuralframe I. One end of this shaft is provided with a spur gear .88 meshingwith a spur gear 8| suitably fixed to a shaft 82 rotating in bearings inthe structural frame I. One end of the shaft 82 is provided with asprocket 83 carrying a chain 84. .The spur gear 8| meshes with a spurgear 85 mounted upon a shaft 88 rotating in bearings in the structuralframe I in a manner similar to the driving mechanism on the front end.

The shaft I8 carries at its. other end a driving sprocket I28 whichcarriesa chain I28 driving the sprocket I30 affixed to the rear axle 3,which brings about the rotation of the rear wheels 2 to drive themachine.

The shafts 82 and 86 carry friction rolls similar to the rolls 4'! and48 already described, in addition to the cam construction described inconnection with rolls 41 and 48. The chain 84 drives a similarly mountedpair of rolls at the other end of the machine that have been brokenaway. The rolls at the rear of the machine are identical and are mountedin a manner similar to the rolls 41 and 48, already described. Theserolls are carried on an extension on the structural frame I.

The shaft 88 is provided with a pair of spur gears 81 which mesh withlarge annular gears 88 about the periphery of the cylindrically shapedtanks v89. The inner ends of these tanks are 'closed by end Walls 90.The tanks are supported in position about their periphery by flangedvided with two flanged sleeves I28 which may members 8| bearing inpulleys 82 suitably amazed to shaft 88. The bottoms of the tanks 88 aresimilarly supported by the flanges 8I bearing in the pulleys 83 and.mounted upona shaft 88 rotatably held in bearings in the structuralframe I. The open ends of the tanks 88 are provided with a flangedsurface 85 which forms a bearing with a-stationary tank portion '88 at81.

This bearing surface may be'made tight by suitable packing. A pipe 88leads upward from each of the stationary tanks 88 to the main tank I8,each pipe being provided with a suitable valve 88. In order thatthe maintank-Iimay be at all times vertically suspended regardless of thevariation of the ground, it is desirable to provide a swivel connectionin pipe 88 or a flexible hose connection may be substituted in place ofpipe 88. A valve operating mechanism I88 is pivotally mounted to amember 'IIII on the interior of each j tank 88 at I82.- The member IIIis resiliently supported on bolts I88 around which helical compressionsprings are encircled. One end of the operating member is pivoted at |88and the other end carries a roller I88 that is adapted to engage astationary cam III! at intervals during the rotation of the 'tank 88,thereby forcing the valve member I8I downwardly and permitting any fluidin the container portion I88 to flow through slots or openings thereinon to the pipe 81. There are a pair of valves I8 I associated with eachof the tanks 88. Each tank 88 is joined by two pipes I 88 which serve asmountings for the pipes II8 rotatably airlxed thereto. Each pipe IIIIcarries an ironing member III which has a concave inner surface H2 andis provided with openings in that surface. These openings may either becircular or slots, see Figs. 16 to 21, inclusive.

Each ironing member I I I is held in place by hel- 1 ical springs II2connected on one end to an eye in each ironing member and on the otherend to the pipes I08. These ironing members serve to press against thepipe andassist in its wrapping.

A supporting bracket II8, which is split in the center, is pivotallymounted to the end walls 88 of each tank 88 at the points -I I8. Thisbracket is' provided with a spool II5 which carries a roll of.insulating or wrapping material II8 thereon.

The angle at which the bracket II 8 is mounted determines the closenessor lap of the wrapping of the insulating material about the pipe 81 at agiven speed of travel which, of course, will always be constant.

If it is desired to maintain the fluid in the chambers I88 at anydesired temperature than as supplied from the main boiler I5, torchesII'I may be mounted adjacent thereto to heat the walls of the rotatablecylinders 88. An insulated supporting surface I I8 may be employed toform a chamber about the cylinders 88. i

Figs. 22 to 24 illustrate a somewhat difierent method of mounting, thewrapping mechanism.

This consists in providing an L-shaped bracket 'Lastly the insulatingmaterial is threaded over a pulley I21 carried on a bracket I28 which ispropress against the insulating material by threading the surface I 88and suitably adjusting it or providing a helical compression spring inthe telescoping portion IN. This construction of winding mechanismpermits the thickness or lap of winding on the pipe 81 to be variedbyaltering the angular positions of the spools I22 and I28 as well as thespool I21.

Each of the cylinders 88 is provided with a cut-away portion I88 throughwhich the pipe 81 maybe passed into the machine. Portions I88 aresuitably bolted to the cylinders 88 by bolts I81. In addition to therecess for admitting the pipe the cylinders 88 and 88 may also be splitin two by loosening the connecting members I 88 by means of the boltsI81, as well as the COD. nectlng members I88 throughthe bolts 18L Havingdescribed in detail the general mechanical construction of nrvinvention, I shall now explain its operation.

It will be assumed that themachine is moved over a trench containing apipe line; the tank I8 is filled with a suitable insulating and sealingcompound, such as bi umen, tar, etc., and heated in any desired mannerto give it the proper degree of fluidity, the pipe is raised in positionby a hoisting, or other mechanism, which may be attached to thefront-end of the machine, and is then threaded through the front rollers"and 88, the rollers mounted on the shafts 88 and 88, thence through theopenng in the first cylinders 88 and 88, through the wrapping mechanism,the ironingmembers I'I being separated a suflicient distance to permitsuch threading, thence through the .other cylinders 88 and 88 to therollers mounted on the shafts 82 and 88, and thence to the last .pair ofrollers. In this operation it has been asrollers and the cylinderportions may be replaced in an obvious manner. The wrapping mechanismmay also be dismantled and assembled about the pipe. Thus it will alsobe seen that the machine may be held stationary removing the wheels andseparate or Joined lengths of pipe may be passed through it and treated,coated, cleaned and/or wrapped. V

In order to start the machine into operation, the motor 22 is startedand the gearshift lever 28.Is operated through its various stages todrive the main shaft 28 at its proper speed. This brings about themovement of the vehicle forward, power being transmitted by the sprocketI28 to the shaft 88 by the chain I28. In this manner the machine iscaused to move forward, the rollers on the shafts 88, 88. 88 and 88, aswell as 82 and 88, causing the feeding of the pipe through the machineat the same rate that the machine progresses forwardly. There is nooperation of the wrapping and insulating mechanism unless the clutchmember I8 is operated, the pipe merely con inuing to be moved throughthe machine as it progresses forwardly. The steering members I8 pressagainst each side of the trench and/or made to follow pipe line andserve to steer the front wheels 2 so that the machine will follow thecontour of the-trench.

In order to bring about the operation of the wrapping and insulatingmechanism the operator will move the clutch member 18, which causessprings 50, 5|, 62 and 63.

65 continue to rotate until they assume their the clutches 69 and II tobe thrown into engagement with the clutch members on the tubular shaft68. Movement of the shaft 68 immediately brings about the rotation ofthe rotatable cylindrical tanks 89 on either side by the engagement ofthe gear 81 with the rim gear 88. The rotation of the tanks 89 bringsabout the intermittent operation of the valve members Illll through thecams I01 whereby the sealing and insulating compound is applied to thepipe through openings in the elements of the chamber I08 before the pipereaches the wrapping mechanism. As the cylinders 89 rotate the wrappingmechanism is revolved about the pipe and brings about the application ofthe insulating material thereto in layers, depending upon the angle atwhich the wraping mechanism is set. As the wrapping is applied to thepipe the insulating and sealing compound is applied to each layer of thematerial through the openings in the ironer members I I I and thesemembers, by reason of the springs H2, serve to force the wrapping intoclose contact with the pipe as it passes through. The wrapped pipe afterpassing through the wrapping mechanism is again coated with the sealingand insulating compound by means of the valve members I00. The pipe isthen fed through the two'remaining sets of rolls and deposited in thetrench to the rear of the machine.

It will be obvious that instead of employing one type of compound fromthe main tank l9 that this tank may be divided into two compartments andapply different kinds of compound to the pipe before and after wrapping.

As the pipe line is fed through the machine certain portions of it arelarger than others where two pipes are coupled together. It isnecessary, therefore, that the rolls 41 and 48 accommodate these largerportions of the pipe. This result is brought about by the operation ofthe cam members 65. When the edge of. the pipe coupling strikes the cammember it brings about their rotation with the consequent spreading ofthe split rolls 4'! and 48 into the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 andcauses the compression of the The cam members original position, as maybe seen from Fig. 4. The circumference of the cams 65 is determined bythe length of the pipe couplings so that the coupling will be passedthrough the rolls before the cams 65 return to their original position.

In thismanner the machine will continue to operate until the whole pipeline has been efiectively wrapped and insulated.

Attention is directed to the fact that the provision of the four sets offeeding rolls causes the pipe to be perfectly straight or the machinewill support separate lengths of pipe within itself when passing throughthe wrapping mechanism so that the wrapping is applied more firmly andwith less danger of becoming tangled than would be the case with onlytwo sets of feeding rolls. It is obvious that my improved machine may beused, in addition to the treating, cleaning and wrapping of pipedescribed, for the wrapping and treaing of any other cylindricallyshaped article such as cables. and wood poles. I

It will be understood that while I have described certain specificembodiments of my invention, many changes, variations and deviations maybe made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a pipe treating machine or like device, the combination of aframe, wheels for supporting said frame upon the ground adjacent a pipeto be treated, pipe treating mechanism mounted on said frame, a sourceof power for said machine, means for connecting said source to saidwheels, and a clutch for connecting said'source to said mechanism.

2. In a pipe treating machine, the combination with a frame work, wheelson which said frame is mounted adapted to straddle a trench, pipetreating mechanism mounted on said framework, and steering means forguiding said wheels.

3. In a machine for treating cylindrically shaped objects, thecombination with a framework, Wheels for carrying said framework adaptedto straddle a trench, treating mechanism mounted on the framework, andsteering means for guiding said wheels to cause said framework to followsaid trench.

4. In a pipe treating machine, the combination with a framework, wheelson which said frame is mounted adapted to straddle a trench,

pipe wrapping mechanism, means for propelling mounted adapted tostraddle a trench, pipe wrapping mechanism, means for propelling saidframework, and steering members mounted on said framework and connectedto the front wheels thereof adapted to cause said wheels to turn withsaid trench.

6. In a pipe treating machine, the combination with a framework, wheelson which said frame is mounted adapted to straddle a trench, pipewrapping mechanism, means for propelling said framework, a pair ofmembers mounted on said framework and pressing against the sides of thetrench and connected to said wheels, and means for causing said membersto turn said wheels.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a relativelystationary frame, of

pipe treating mechanism carried thereby and adapted to encircle the pipecarried by the frame, and means for causing said pipe treating mechanismto advance along the pipe, said means comprising two sets ofdiametrically opposed split rollers engaging the periphery of the pipe,the split portions of the rollers being held in closely abuttingrelation by Springs.

8. In a pipe treating machine, the combination with a frame, wheels uponwhich said frame is mounted, pipe treating mechanism mounted on saidframe, means for operating said mechanism and for propelling saidmachine along a pipe, a set of diametrically opposed split rollershaving corrugated surfaces resiliently held againstsaid pipe, andmechanism for driving said rolls.

9. In a pipe treating machine, the combination with a frame, wheels uponwhich said frame is .mounted, pipe treating mechanism mounted on saidframe, means for operating said mechanism and for propelling saidmachine along a pipe, a set of diametrically opposed split rollershaving corrugated surfaces resiliently held against said pipe, mechanismfor driving said rolls, and a cam associated with said rolls andoperative to force .the split portions of cooperating rolls apart toaccommodate pipes of larger diameter.

10. In a pipe treating machine, the combination with a frame, wheelsupon which said frame mechanism, and a clutch for shaft to the driveshaft.

is moimted, pipe treating mechanism mounted on said frame, means foroperatingsaid mesh nism and for propelling said machine along a pipe, 9.set of diametrically opposed split rollers having corrugated surfacesresiliently held M against said pipe, mechanism for driving said rolls,and means associated with said rolls automatically operative to, enlargethe distance between them to accommodate a pipe of larger di-' ameterwhen'such pipe is fed through said rolls.

11; In a pipe treating machine, the combination with. a framework, ofwheels upon which said framework is mounted, means for propelling saidmachine, including a drive shaft, for rotating said wheels, mechanismfor feeding pipe through said machine comprising power driven rolls incontact with the pipe, pipe treating and wrapping mechanism, a hollowshaft for operating said connecting said 12. A pipe treating machinecomprising. a framework, means for moving said framework 'along atrench, pipe treating mechanism comfor co-operating with a trench todirect said machine along the trench mounted on said framework.

14. In a pipe treating machine the combination with a frame, wheels uponwhich said frame is mounted, pipe treating mechanism mounted on saidframe, motor means for operating said mechanism and for propelling saidmachine along a pipe, a set of diametrically opposed split rollershaving corrugated surfaces resiliently held against said pipe mechanismfor driving said wheels, and mechanism for spreading and contractingsaid rolls to accommodate a pipe of a larger or smaller diameter.

15. In a pipe treating machine, the combina-' tion with'a framework,wheels on which said frame is mounted adapted to straddle a trench, pipetreating means mounted on said framework and'steering means co-operatingwith said trench for directing said machine along a trench.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, apair of sets of dia metrically opposed split rollers having corrugatedsurfaces, spring means holding the portions of I said rollers togetherand driving means for both sets of rollers, one of said sets mountedparallel to the other and spaced thereabove.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame,apair of, sets of diametrically opposed split rollers having corrugatedsurfaces, and means associated, with said split rollers for separatingthe same or contracting the'same to engage a .pipe of either a large orsmall diameter.

HORACE L. HARRISON.

